Witheld Expenses

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

A few things:

* You don't "claim" expenses from your client (or the agency). You personally claim out of pocket expenses from YourCo (if you wish). YourCo *bills* the client for expenses. These re-charges are just part of your service.

* Whether you are able to re-charge expenses to the agency as part of your service is dependent entirely on your contract (however whether or not you bill the client for them, doesn't stop you claiming the expenses from YourCo, employee expenses rules permitting).

* Things may be complicated if the contract between YourCo and the agency and agency and your client do not agree when it comes to re-billing expenses.

* Expense re-charges do normally need to be agreed with the client up front either by stating them in the contract or getting written agreement (e.g. via email). Typically, the contract will say that YourCo can re-bill normal expenses (e.g. travel) as long as you can provide evidence and that additional expenses will be agreed with the client up front. Again, what does your contract say?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Yes all are legit expenses allowed by and in fact documented in the Client expense policy which as I a Contractor I have to comply with in the same way as a permie. I was based as a particular site and expenses are for such things such as travel, hotels when away, etc - all perfectly normal and previously allowed expenses for the role I am in.

Alarm bells!

The client may well use their employee expense policy as the basis for what they allow contractors to bill for, but I would be wary of agreeing to any "employee expenses policy" as you're not an employee. The expenses "policy" should have formed part of your contract.

[UkPilot]

Hi CP,

Yes they use as a basis, presumably as everyone is 'singing off the same sheet' then.

As regards the Agency, their policy does not state very much on the matter only that they will pay legit expenses as long as it submitted on their form, with a Client signature and a valid invoice - all of which were provided.

To me the matter seems to be the service contract between the Client and the Agency, the service contract between myself and Agency has been adhered to on my part but they have broken it and clawed back monies without any notice or explanation - hence my questions right at the start as to where I stood.

I have approached the Agency but they are still to respond on under what/where in the terms of contract they have done it.

UK

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Definitely speak to a lawyer - we are all happy to try and help but none of us is qualified to give a legal opinion (as far as I know )